Method and apparatus for displaying an additional information related to measured value of object

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method of displaying additional information related to a measured value of an object, which includes acquiring measurement item information of the object; acquiring at least one of a measurement point and a measurement direction for the object; determining a reference value for a measurement based on the acquired measurement item information; acquiring the measured value of the object based on the at least one of the measurement point and the measurement direction; and displaying additional information including the determined reference value and the acquired measured value.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0159639, filed on Dec. 19, 2013, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a method andapparatus for displaying additional information related to a measuredvalue of an object, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus fordisplaying an average value or an abnormal value contained in additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object, together with themeasured value.

2. Description of the Related Art

Examples of medical diagnostic equipment may include an ultrasounddiagnosis device, an X-ray photographing apparatus, a computerizedtomography (CT) apparatus, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)device.

Among these, an ultrasound diagnosis device transmits ultrasound signalsfrom a body surface of a target object toward a predetermined portioninside a body and uses information of ultrasound signals reflected fromtissues in the body to obtain tomographic images of soft tissues orblood flow.

Such an ultrasound diagnosis device may display information regarding atarget object in real-time. Furthermore, an ultrasound diagnosis devicecauses no radioactive exposure like X-rays, thus being highly safe.Therefore, ultrasound diagnosis devices have been widely used togetherwith other types of imaging diagnosis devices, including X-ray diagnosisdevices, CT scanners, MRI devices, nuclear medical diagnosis devices,etc.

One type of a radiographic imaging apparatus for medical diagnostics maybe an X-ray photographing apparatus.

In general, X-rays are electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of 0.01to 100 angstroms (Å) and can penetrate into an object. Thus, they may becommonly used in a wide range of applications such as medial devicesthat take images of the inside of a living body and non-destructivetesting equipment for industrial use.

An X-ray photographing apparatus uses X-rays emitted by an X-ray tube(or X-ray source) to penetrate into an object, detects a difference inintensity of the X-rays from an X-ray detector, and identifies theinternal structure of the object. Furthermore, the X-ray photographingapparatus is able to easily identify the internal structure of theobject by using the principle that the amount of X-rays that penetratethe object varies depending on the density of the object and atomicnumber of an atom in the object. As the wavelength of an X-ray becomesshorter, permeability of X-rays increases, and a screen becomesbrighter.

An X-ray photographing apparatus generally includes an X-ray source, anX-ray detector, and an image processor. The X-ray source irradiates anX-ray under predetermined X-ray irradiation conditions, and the X-raydetector acquires image data based on an X-ray that penetrates theobject and transmits the image data to the image processor. The imageprocessor then processes the image data to provide an image of theobject to a display unit.

Another type of a radiographic imaging apparatus for medical diagnosticsmay be a CT system. Since the CT system is capable of providing across-sectional image of an object, the CT system may represent an innerstructure (e.g., an organ such as a kidney, a lung, etc.) of the objectwithout an overlap therebetween, compared to a general X-ray imagingapparatus.

The CT system may obtain a plurality of pieces of image data with athickness of not more than 2 mm for several tens to several hundreds oftimes per second and then may process the plurality of pieces of imagedata, thereby providing a relatively accurate cross-sectional image ofthe object. In other words, the internal structure of the object may begenerated as a two- or three-dimensional (2D or 3D) image by a pluralityof 2D X-ray image data obtained around a single rotation axis.

Furthermore, MRI equipment may be used for medical diagnosis.

MRI is a technology that acquires an image of an object by measuring adifference between signals that are emitted from a tissue in an objectby applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse that causes protons in theobject to resonate and reconstructing the difference through a computer,wherein the object is placed inside a large magnet for producing amagnet field. An MRI system exhibits high resolution and high contrastover another imaging technique using ultrasound and is capable ofproviding images of deep organs and 3D information in real-time. The MRIsystem also involves no exposure to radiation and thus is harmless to ahuman body. Furthermore, the MRI system may create images in the axialplane, in the sagittal plane, and in the coronal plane without anychange in a position of an object.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a method andapparatus for displaying additional information related to a measuredvalue of an object.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a methodof displaying additional information related to a measured value of anobject includes: acquiring measurement item information of the object;acquiring at least one of a measurement point and a measurementdirection for the object; determining a reference value for ameasurement based on the acquired measurement item information;acquiring the measured value of the object based on the at least one ofthe measurement point and the measurement direction; and displayingadditional information including the determined reference value and theacquired measured value. The measurement item information of the objectincludes profile information of the object and information about ameasurement item determined according to a portion of the object to bemeasured.

The measurement point may include a measurement start point and ameasurement end point, and the measurement end point may be designatedby moving a predetermined pointer for designating the measurement pointfrom the measurement start point in a predetermined direction.

The determining of the reference value based on the measurement iteminformation may include determining an average value, an abnormal value,or a value of interest for diagnosis, related to the measurement item,based on the profile information of the object.

The measured value of the object may include a length, a perimeter, anangle, an area, or a volume, and the acquiring of the measured value ofthe object based on the at least one of the measurement point and themeasurement direction may include acquiring a length of a straight lineformed by moving the predetermined pointer from the measurement startpoint, a perimeter of a curve formed by moving the predetermined pointerfrom the measurement start point, an angle formed by a plurality oflines including the measurement start point, an area having apredetermined shape including the measurement start point, or a volumeof a 3D region including the measurement start point.

The displaying of the additional information including the determinedreference value and the acquired measured value may include allocating apredetermined color to the reference value and displaying the additionalinformation including the reference value having the predetermined colorand the measured value at a predetermined location on a medical image ofthe object.

The predetermined location may overlap a straight line formed betweenmeasurement start and end points.

The predetermined location may be adjacent to a straight line formedbetween the measurement start and end points, and the displaying of theadditional information including the determined reference value and theacquired measured value may include: allocating a predetermined color tothe reference value; generating a color bar including the colorallocated to the reference value; and displaying the generated color baras the additional information.

The acquiring of the measured value of the object based on the at leastone of the measurement point and the measurement direction may includeacquiring a measured value in real-time each time the predeterminedpointer is moved from the measurement start point in a predetermineddirection. The displaying of the additional information including thedetermined reference value and the acquired measured value may include:allocating a predetermined color to the reference value; generating acolor bar including the color allocated to the reference value;displaying the generated color bar; and displaying the measured value incolor that corresponds to the measured value acquired in real-time amongcolors included in the color bar.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, anapparatus for displaying additional information related to a measuredvalue of an object includes: an object information acquisition unit foracquiring measurement item information of the object; a measurement iteminformation acquisition unit for acquiring at least one of a measurementpoint and a measurement direction for the object; a referencedetermination unit for determining a reference value for a measurementbased on the acquired measurement item information; a measured valueacquisition unit for acquiring the measured value of the object based onthe at least one of the measurement point and the measurement direction;and a display unit for displaying additional information including thedetermined reference value and the acquired measured value. Themeasurement item information of the object includes profile informationof the object and information about a measurement item determinedaccording to a portion of the object to be measured.

The measurement point may include a measurement start point and ameasurement end point, and the measurement end point may be designatedby moving a predetermined pointer for designating the measurement pointfrom the measurement start point in a predetermined direction.

The reference determination unit may determine an average value, anabnormal value, or a value of interest for diagnosis, related to themeasurement item, based on the profile information of the object.

The measured value of the object may include a length, a perimeter, anangle, an area, or a volume, and the measured value acquisition unit mayacquire a length of a straight line formed by moving the predeterminedpointer from the measurement start point, a perimeter of a curve formedby moving the predetermined pointer from the measurement start point, anangle formed by a plurality of lines including the measurement startpoint, an area having a predetermined shape including the measurementstart point, or a volume of a 3D region including the measurement startpoint.

The apparatus may further include a color allocation unit for allocatinga predetermined color to the reference value, and the display unit maydisplay the additional information including the reference value havingthe predetermined color and the measured value at a predeterminedlocation on a medical image of the object.

The predetermined location may overlap a straight line formed betweenmeasurement start and end points.

The apparatus may further include a color allocation unit for allocatinga predetermined color to the reference value and a color bar generatorfor generating a color bar including the color allocated to thereference value.

The display unit may display the generated color bar as the additionalinformation, and the predetermined location may be adjacent to astraight line formed between the measurement start and end points.

The apparatus may further include a color allocation unit for allocatinga predetermined color to the reference value and a color bar generatorfor generating a color bar including the color allocated to thereference value.

The measured value acquisition unit may acquire a measured value inreal-time each time the predetermined pointer is moved from themeasurement start point in a predetermined direction, and the displayunit may display the generated color bar, and the measured value incolor that corresponds to the measured value acquired in real-time amongcolors included in the color bar.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium has recorded thereon aprogram for executing the above-described method on a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method of displaying additional informationrelated to a measured value of an object, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A through 2E illustrate examples of displayed additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate examples of displayed additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates additional information displayed together with ameasured value of an object according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for displaying additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an apparatus for displaying additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object, further includinga color allocation unit and a color bar generator, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates displayed additional information related to ameasured value of an object in an X-ray image, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates displayed additional information related to ameasured value of an object in a computerized tomography (CT) image,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates displayed additional information related to ameasured value of an object in a medical resonance imaging (MRI) image,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms used herein will now be briefly described and then one or moreembodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

General terms widely used are selected while considering functions inone or more embodiments of the present invention for terms used herein,but the terms used herein may differ according to intentions of one ofordinary skill in the art, precedents, or emergence of new technologies.Also, in some cases, an applicant arbitrarily selects a term, and inthis case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail herein.Accordingly, the terms shall be defined based on the meanings anddetails throughout the specification, rather than the simple names ofthe terms.

Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when acomponent “includes” an element, unless there is another oppositedescription thereto, it should be understood that the component does notexclude another element but may further include another element. Inaddition, terms such as “ . . . unit”, “ . . . module”, or the likerefer to units that perform at least one function or operation, and theunits may be implemented as hardware or software or as a combination ofhardware and software. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

In the present specification, a “medical image” may meanmulti-dimensional data composed of discrete image elements (for example,pixels in a two-dimensional (2D) image and voxels in a three-dimensional(3D) image). For example, a medical image may include images of anobject acquired by an X-ray, a CT, an MRI, an ultrasound wave, and othermedical imaging systems. The object may refer to parts of a body. Forexample, the object may include organs such as the liver, the heart, theuterus, the brain, a breast, and the abdomen, or a fetus.

Furthermore, in the present specification, a “user” refers to a medicalprofessional, such as a doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratorytechnologist, and a medical imaging expert, but is not limited thereto.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings so that they may be easilyimplemented by one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the presentexemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not beconstrued as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Partsnot related to the present invention are omitted for clarity of thedescription of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Inthe accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout. Expressions such as

When a length and an area of an object is measured, a user needs to usea percentile table to determine whether a measured length or area fallsin a normal range (or normal group) or an abnormal range (or abnormalgroup). Furthermore, according to a conventional technique, it may bedifficult for a user to identify a difference between a measured valueand a reference value for distinguishing a normal group from an abnormalgroup.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by indicatingadditional information including a reference value related to a measuredvalue of an object, a user may easily determine whether the measuredvalue falls in a normal range (or normal group) or an abnormal range(abnormal group).

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method of displaying additional informationrelated to a measured value of an object, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

The method according to the present embodiment includes obtainingmeasurement item information of an object (S100), acquiring at least oneof a measurement point and a measurement direction for the object(S200), determining a reference value for a measurement based on themeasurement item information of the object (S300), acquiring a measuredvalue of the object based on at least one of the measurement point andthe measurement direction (S400), and displaying additional informationcontaining the determined reference value and the acquired measuredvalue (S500).

The measurement item information of the object may include profileinformation of the object and information about measurement items thatare determined according to a portion of the object to be measured. Forexample, the measurement item information of the object may includeprofile information of the object containing a gestational age (GA) aswell as data for estimating a GA. For example, if a parameter such as aCrow-Rump Length (CRL) or Head Circumference (HC) is available, a GA maybe estimated (predicted) based on the CRL or HC.

The measurement item information may also include portions of the objectto be measured and measurement items predetermined for the portions ofthe object to be measured. The portions of the object to be measured mayinclude the head, the heart, the abdomen, arms, and legs of a fetus oradult.

The measurement items may be set automatically or manually. For example,high priorities may be pre-assigned to measurement items having highfrequencies of measurement for a portion to be measured, and themeasurement items may be automatically set according to the pre-assignedpriorities.

The measurement items may include biometric information of a fetus suchas a CRL, a Bi-Parietal Diameter (BPD), an Abdominal Circumference (AC),a Head Circumference (HC), cerebellum (CIA, or a Femur Length (FL). Themeasurement items may also include items for checking a status of fetalgrowth, such as propagation velocity (Vp), OccipitoFrontal Diameter(OFD), Fetal Trunk Area (FTA), and Expected Fetal weight. Themeasurement items may also include a Nuchal translucency (NT) length (orthickness) and Intracranial Translucency (IT) for determiningmalformations such as fetal chromosome abnormalities, but are notlimited thereto.

A reference value for a measurement according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may include a percentile rank or percentagecorresponding to measurement item information. For example, if theobject is a fetus, the reference value may include a percentile rank orpercentage of a measurement average value, a value determined to beabnormal, or a value of interest for diagnosis at a GA of the fetus.

A reference value according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay be displayed as at least one of a dot, a line, a face, a number, anda letter.

In the operation of obtaining measurement item information of an object(S100), the measurement item information may be input from a userthrough an external input receiver (not shown). For example, themeasurement item information such as profile information of the objectcontaining a GA or information about portions of the object to bemeasured and measurement items may be acquired by the user through theexternal input receiver.

The operation of acquiring at least one of a measurement point and ameasurement direction for the object (S200) may include receiving atleast one of the measurement point and the measurement direction for theobject from the user through the external input receiver.

The measurement point of the object may include a measurement startpoint and a measurement end point. The measurement end point may bedesignated by moving a predetermined pointer for designating themeasurement point from the measurement start point in a predetermineddirection. The predetermined pointer may be an indicator (or a cursor)having an arrow or finger shape. For example, the user may designate ameasurement end point by first clicking a measurement start point with acursor and then moving the cursor in a predetermined direction to clicka point other than the measurement start point.

The operation of determining a reference value for a measurement basedon the measurement item information of the object (S300) may includedetermining an average value, an abnormal value, and a value of interestfor diagnosis for a measurement item, based on profile information ofthe object

For example, a measurement average value, an abnormal value fordistinguishing normality from abnormality, or a value of interest fordiagnosis may be pre-stored in a predetermined storage device (notshown).

Furthermore, the measurement average value, the abnormal value, or thevalue of interest may be determined by statistical operations. Forexample, measurement data related to a plurality of objects may beacquired from a device that is able to make data communication accordingto a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) or DigitalImaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard, and an averagevalue, an abnormal value, or a value of interest for diagnosis for ameasurement item may be determined based on the acquired measurementdata by using a statistical method.

The operation of acquiring a measured value of the object based on atleast one of the measurement point and the measurement direction (S400)may include measuring a portion of user's interest using a measurementend point that is determined by moving from a measurement start pointalong a measurement direction and acquiring the measured value of theobject.

The measured value of the object may include a length, a perimeter, anangle, an area, or a volume. In other words, the operation S400 includesacquiring a length of a straight line formed by moving a predeterminedpointer from a measurement start point, a perimeter of a curve formed bymoving a predetermined pointer from a measurement start point, an angleformed by a plurality of lines including a measurement start point, anarea having a predetermined shape including a measurement start point,or a volume of a 3D region including a measurement start point, asdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 3A through 3D.

Referring back to FIG. 1, as described above, the method according tothe present embodiment also includes displaying additional informationcontaining the determined reference value and the acquired measuredvalue (S500).

The operation of displaying additional information containing thedetermined reference value and the acquired measured value (S500) mayinclude allocating a predetermined color to the determined referencevalue and displaying additional information including a reference valuehaving the predetermined color and the acquired measured value at apredetermined location on a medical image of the object. As describedabove, a medical image according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may include images of the object acquired by an X-ray, a CT,an MRI, and other medical imaging systems.

The predetermined location may overlap a straight line formed betweenmeasurement start and end points. For example, the additionalinformation may be displayed in such a way as to overlap the straightline therebetween.

Alternatively, the predetermined location may be adjacent to thestraight line formed between the measurement start and end points. Inother words, the predetermined location may be on the left or right sideof the straight line.

As another example, the operation S500 may include allocating apredetermined color to the determined reference value, generating acolor bar including the predetermined color allocated to the referencevalue, and displaying the color bar as additional information. Althoughthe reference value may be displayed as characters or numbers, arelative relationship between the measured value and the reference valuemay be represented by using a color allocated to the reference value.For example, by generating a color bar including the color allocated tothe reference value as a gradation bar, etc., the user may quicklyrecognize the extent to which the measured value falls short of orexceeds the reference value.

The operation S400 may include acquiring a measured value in real-timeeach time a predetermined pointer is moved from a measurement startpoint in a predetermined direction. In other words, a portion of theobject may be measured in real-time by moving the predetermined pointer.

Furthermore, the operation S500 may include allocating a predeterminedcolor to the determined reference value, generating a color barincluding the color allocated to the reference value, displaying thecolor bar, and displaying the measured value in color that correspondsto a measured value obtained in real-time among colors included in thecolor bar.

The operation S500 will be described in more detail below with referenceto FIGS. 2A through 2E.

FIGS. 2A through 2E illustrate examples of displayed additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates the display of additional information related to ameasured value of an object, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. For example, if the object is a fetus, a user maymeasure a NT length (or thickness) of the fetus to determine thepresence of fetal malformations. The malformations of a fetus beingcurrently measured may be determined by using an average value of NTlengths of a plurality of fetuses having the same or similar GAs to thatof the fetus being measured or a length (e.g., abnormal value)representing a high risk of malformations.

Upon designating (or clicking) a measurement start point S and ameasurement end point E on a region of interest (ROI) 100 in an image ofa fetus shown in FIG. 2, wherein the ROI includes a portion to bemeasured such as a nuchal portion, an NT length of the fetuscorresponding to a length of a straight line between the measurementstart and end points S and E may be measured. An average value Ave of NTlengths of a plurality of fetuses having the same or similar GAs to thatof the fetus being measured may be determined. An abnormal value Ab thatmay also be defined as abnormal at a GA of the fetus being measured maybe determined. As described above, the average value Ave, the abnormalvalue Ab, or a value of interest for diagnosis may be predetermined fora measurement item, or be determined using statistical operations whilean object is being measured.

The operation of determining a reference value for a measurement basedon acquired measurement item information according to an embodiment ofthe present invention may further include determining a percentile rankof an average value Ave, an abnormal value Ab, or a value of interestfor diagnosis, which is related to a measured value of an object.

For example, a percentile rank of an average value Ave, an abnormalvalue Ab, or a value of interest for diagnosis may be determined basedon measurement item information of the object. For example, percentileranks of the average value Ave and the abnormal value Ab may bedetermined as 50% and 75%, respectively. The percentile ranks may bedisplayed as additional information related to the measured value,together with an image of the object.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, additional information 210 for themeasurement start point S may be displayed. In other words, a percentilerank at the measurement start point S may be displayed as the additionalinformation 210. Additional information 220 including a percentile rankof the average value Ave and additional information 230 including apercentile rank of the abnormal value Ab may also be displayed.Furthermore, additional information 240 including a percentile rank of ameasurement end point E may be displayed. Since a length from themeasurement start point S to the measurement end point E is greater thana length from the measurement start point S to the abnormal value Ab asshown in FIG. 2A, the user may determine that an NT length of the fetuscurrently being measured is abnormal.

FIG. 2B illustrates another example of the display of additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object.

As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of percentile ranks of a measurementstart point, an average value, an abnormal value, and a measurement endpoint may be displayed as additional information. The additionalinformation may be displayed in such a way as to overlap an image of theobject in the form of a pop-up window or speech bubble.

FIG. 2C illustrates another example of the display of additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object.

A predetermined color may be assigned to an average value or an abnormalvalue determined based on measurement item information of the object. Inthis case, the gradation of colors may be assigned to respective values.For example, as a value changes from the average value to the abnormalvalue, the brightness or saturation of associated colors may increase.Blue, green and orange may be assigned to the measurement start point,the average value and the abnormal value, respectively. In other words,as the value changes from the measurement start point to the abnormalvalue, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red may be sequentially assignedto the respective values, but embodiments of the present invention arenot limited thereto. For example, if a color bar having blue, green,yellow, orange, red arranged in this order may be provided as additionalinformation, and if the measured value exceeds the abnormal value, themeasured value corresponds to a location of a red interval in an image,and thus the user may determine the object as being abnormal.

FIG. 2D illustrate an example of the display of a measured value of anobject in colors.

Referring to FIG. 2D, a measurement start point 10 may be designated onan image of the object by using a predetermined pointer, and then aregion of the object including a point designated by moving the pointerfrom the measurement start point 10 in a predetermined direction may bemeasured in real-time. In other words, a measured value of the objectmay be obtained in real-time as the pointer moves.

Furthermore, additional information 260 including an average value Ave,an abnormal value Ab, or a value of interest for diagnosis, which isrelated to the measured value, may be displayed together with the imageof the object. A color bar as shown in FIG. 2C may also be displayed asadditional information.

The measured value acquired in real-time may be displayed as a colorassigned according to a range in which the measured value lies. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2D, if the pointer is moved from themeasurement start point 10 to designate a point 41 at a first location,a distance of a straight line between the measurement start point 10 andthe point 41 at the first location falls within a blue interval 261 a ofthe additional information 260, and thus the straight line therebetweenmay be displayed in blue.

Furthermore, if the pointer is moved from the measurement start point 10to designate a point 42 at a second location, a distance of a straightline between the measurement start point 10 and the point 42 at thesecond location falls within a green interval 261 b of the additionalinformation 260, and thus the straight line therebetween may bedisplayed in green.

Similarly, if the pointer is moved from the measurement start point 10to designate a point 43 at a third location, a distance of a straightline between the measurement start point 10 and the point 43 at thethird location falls within an orange interval 261 c of the additionalinformation 260, and thus the straight line therebetween may bedisplayed in orange.

Since a measured value is displayed so as to correspond to displayedadditional information when a user measures an object, the user mayintuitively determine whether the object is normal or abnormal andeasily identify a relative relationship between the measured value andthe reference value by referring to the displayed additionalinformation.

FIG. 2E illustrates another example of displayed additional informationrelated to a measured value of an object.

Referring to FIG. 2E, a percentage of an abnormal value or measuredvalue based on an average value may be displayed as additionalinformation related to the measured value of the object. For example, ifan average length from a measurement start point is set to 100%, theabnormal value and a measurement end point may be indicated as 125% and213%, respectively, compared to the average value of 100%. In otherwords, the user is able to easily identify a relative relationshipbetween the average value and the measured value or between the abnormalvalue and the measured value by referring to percentages of the abnormalvalue and the measured value based on the average value, which aredisplayed as additional information.

FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate examples of displayed additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The measured value of the object may include a length, a perimeter, anangle, an area, or a volume.

Referring to FIG. 3A, when a length of a portion of interest in anobject is measured, additional information 260 including a currentmeasured value 261 and a reference value such as an abnormal value 262and an average value 263 may be displayed. For example, the currentmeasured value 261 may be greater than the average value 263 but lessthan the abnormal value 262. The additional information 260 may furtherinclude an abnormal value 264 or 265 corresponding to a GA (forinstance, −GA or +GA) predicted within an error range. The additionalinformation 260 may further include an average value (not shown)corresponding to a GA predicted within the error range. The error rangemay be determined differently for each measurement item. For example,the error range may be one (1) week before a GA acquired as measurementitem information or one (1) week after the GA.

Thus, by referring to the displayed additional information 260, the usermay easily identify not only a difference between the current measuredvalue 261 and either the average value 263 or the abnormal value 262 butalso information about an average or abnormal value that falls withinthe error range, thus allowing accurate diagnosis of the object.

When an image 110 of an object shown in FIG. 3B is acquired, a user maymeasure a perimeter of a portion of interest in the object. For example,the user may measure a perimeter of a region that is separated from themeasurement start point 10 by a distance equal to a radius. In thiscase, additional information 260 including the measured perimeter and areference value such as an average value and an abnormal value may bedisplayed. The measured perimeter may be greater than the average valuebut less than the abnormal value.

Furthermore, when an image 120 of an object shown in FIG. 3C isacquired, a user may measure an angle of a portion of interest in theobject. For example, the user may measure a predetermined angle 61 or 62formed with a straight line including a measurement start point 10. Inthis case, additional information 260 including the measured angle and areference value such as an average value and an abnormal value may bedisplayed. As shown in FIG. 3C, the measured perimeter may be greaterthan the average value but less than the abnormal value.

Furthermore, when a volume image 130 of an object shown in FIG. 3D isacquired, a user may measure a volume of a portion of interest in theobject. For example, a volume of the portion of interest may be measuredbased on a measurement start point 10. In this case, additionalinformation 260 including the measured volume and a reference value suchas an average value and an abnormal value may be displayed. As shown inFIG. 3D, the measured volume may be greater than the average value butless than the abnormal value.

Although not shown in FIGS. 3B through 3D, as described above withreference to FIG. 3A, the additional information 260 may include anaverage value or an abnormal value corresponding to a GA and predictedwithin the error range.

FIG. 4 illustrates additional information displayed together with ameasured value of an object according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

When an image 140 of an object shown in FIG. 4 is acquired, a user maymeasure a length or other dimensions of the object by designating ameasurement start point 10 and a measurement end point 40. At themeasurement end point 40, additional information associated with themeasured value of the object may be displayed. For example, a GA of afetus as the object may be predicted according to a value measured byusing the measurement start and end points 10 and 40. If the predictedGA is 11 weeks, additional information 11W may be displayed at themeasurement end point 40. Thus, the user may be provided with additionalinformation related to a measured value upon measuring the object,thereby allowing fast diagnosis of the object.

The additional information may also include GAs 264 and 265 predictedwithin an error range. The error range may vary according to ameasurement item. For example, the error range may be one week 265before a GA predicted and displayed through measurement or one week 264after the GA.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus 500 for displaying additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the apparatus 500 according to the presentembodiment includes an object information acquisition unit 510 foracquiring measurement item information of an object, a measurement iteminformation acquisition unit 520 for acquiring at least one of ameasurement point and a measurement direction for the object, areference determination unit 530 for determining a reference value for ameasurement based on the acquired measurement item information, ameasured value acquisition unit 540 for acquiring a measured value ofthe object based on at least one of the acquired measurement point andmeasurement direction, and a display unit 550 for displaying additionalinformation including the determined reference value and the acquiredmeasured value. The measurement item information of the object mayinclude profile information of the object and information aboutmeasurement items that are determined according to a portion of theobject to be measured.

The measurement point of the object may include a measurement startpoint and a measurement end point. The measurement end point may bedesignated by moving a predetermined pointer for designating themeasurement point from the measurement start point in a predetermineddirection. The predetermined pointer may include an arrow- orfinger-shaped cursor.

The reference determination unit 530 may determine an average value oran abnormal value for a measurement item based on profile information ofthe object.

The measured value of the object may include a length, a perimeter, anangle, an area, or a volume. The measured value acquisition unit 540 mayacquire a length of a straight line formed by moving a predeterminedpointer from a measurement start point, a perimeter of a curve formed bymoving the predetermined pointer from a measurement start point, anangle formed by a plurality of lines including a measurement startpoint, an area having a predetermined shape including a measurementstart point, or a volume of a 3D region including a measurement startpoint.

The display unit 550 may display additional information including areference value and a measured value at a predetermined location on amedical image of the object.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an apparatus 500 for displaying additionalinformation related to a measured value of an object, further includinga color allocation unit 560 and a color bar generator 570 according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the apparatus 500 according to the presentembodiment may further include the color allocation unit 560 forallocating a predetermined color to a determined reference value and thecolor bar generator 570 for generating a color bar including a colorallocated to the reference value.

A display unit 550 may display additional information including thereference value having the predetermined color and an acquired measuredvalue at a predetermined location on a medical image of the object.

The predetermined location may overlap a straight line formed betweenmeasurement start and end points. In other words, the additionalinformation may be displayed in such a way as to overlap the straightline therebetween.

The display unit 550 may also display the generated color bar asadditional information. In this case, the predetermined location may beadjacent to a straight line formed between measurement start and endpoints

A measured value acquisition unit 540 may acquire a measured value inreal-time each time a predetermined pointer is moved from a measurementstart point in a predetermined direction.

The display unit 550 may also display the generated color bar and themeasured value in color that corresponds to a measured value obtained inreal-time among colors included in the color bar.

FIG. 7 illustrates displayed additional information related to ameasured value of an object in an X-ray image, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates displayedadditional information related to a measured value of an object in a CTimage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9 illustrates displayed additional information related to ameasured value of an object in an MRI image according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

As described above, a medical image may include ultrasound images aswell as images of an object acquired by an X-ray, a CT, an MRI, andother medical imaging systems.

A user may identify the presence of abnormality of an object bymeasuring a length a portion of the object that the user desires tomeasure in an X-ray image of a pelvis of the object take using X-rays.For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an abnormal value 262 or an averagevalue 263 may be displayed together with a current measured value 261 ofthe pelvis. Thus, the user may identify the presence of abnormality ofthe object based on the current measured value 261 by referring to theabnormal value 262 or the average value 263 provided as additionalinformation. For example, the user may check for a status of an abnormalgrowth of a pelvis by measuring a length of the pelvis.

Furthermore, a user may identify the presence of abnormality of anobject by measuring a width a portion of the object that the userdesires to measure in a CT image of the object. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, an abnormal value 262 or an average value 263 may be displayedtogether with a current measured value 261 that is a width of a spine.Thus, the user may identify the presence of abnormality of the objectbased on the current measured value 261 by referring to the abnormalvalue 262 or the average value 263 provided as additional information.For example, the user may check for the presence of a cervical spinalcanal stenosis by measuring a width of the spine.

Furthermore, a user may identify the presence of abnormality of anobject by measuring a length a portion of the object that the userdesires to measure in an MRI image of the object. For example, as shownin FIG. 9, an abnormal value 262 or an average value 263 may bedisplayed together with a current measured value 261 that is a length ofa hypothalamus of a brain. Thus, the user may identify the presence ofabnormality of the object based on the current measured value 261 byreferring to the abnormal value 262 or the average value 263 provided asadditional information. For example, the user may check the performanceof a clinical function of a hypothalamus by measuring the length ofhypothalamus.

Descriptions with respect to the apparatus may apply to descriptions ofmethods according one or more embodiments of the present invention.Thus, the same descriptions as already presented with respect to theapparatus are omitted in describing the method.

The embodiments of the present invention may be written as computerprograms and may be implemented in general-use digital computers thatexecute the programs using a computer-readable recording medium.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magneticstorage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), opticalrecording media (e.g., CD-ROMs or DVDs), etc.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims. Therefore, itshould be understood that the exemplary embodiments described thereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. The scope of the invention is defined not by the detaileddescription of the invention but by the appended claims, and alldifferences within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents will be construed as being included in the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying additional informationrelated to a measured value of an object, the method comprising:acquiring measurement item information of the object; acquiring at leastone of a measurement point and a measurement direction for the object;determining a reference value for a measurement based on the acquiredmeasurement item information; acquiring the measured value of the objectbased on the at least one of the measurement point and the measurementdirection; and displaying additional information including thedetermined reference value and the acquired measured value, wherein themeasurement item information of the object comprises profile informationof the object and information about a measurement item determinedaccording to a portion of the object to be measured.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the measurement point comprises a measurement startpoint and a measurement end point, and wherein the measurement end pointis designated by moving a predetermined pointer for designating themeasurement point from the measurement start point in a predetermineddirection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of thereference value based on the measurement item information comprisesdetermining an average value, an abnormal value, or a value of interestfor diagnosis, related to the measurement item, based on the profileinformation of the object.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein themeasured value of the object comprises a length, a perimeter, an angle,an area, or a volume, and wherein the acquiring of the measured value ofthe object based on the at least one of the measurement point and themeasurement direction comprises acquiring a length of a straight lineformed by moving the predetermined pointer from the measurement startpoint, a perimeter of a curve formed by moving the predetermined pointerfrom the measurement start point, an angle formed by a plurality oflines including the measurement start point, an area having apredetermined shape including the measurement start point, or a volumeof a 3D region including the measurement start point.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the displaying of the additional information includingthe determined reference value and the acquired measured valuecomprises: allocating a predetermined color to the reference value; anddisplaying the additional information including the reference valuehaving the predetermined color and the measured value at a predeterminedlocation on a medical image of the object.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the predetermined location overlaps a straight line formedbetween measurement start and end points.
 7. The method of claim 4,wherein the predetermined location is adjacent to a straight line formedbetween the measurement start and end points, and wherein the displayingof the additional information including the determined reference valueand the acquired measured value comprises: allocating a predeterminedcolor to the reference value; generating a color bar including the colorallocated to the reference value; and displaying the generated color baras the additional information.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein theacquiring of the measured value of the object based on the at least oneof the measurement point and the measurement direction comprisesacquiring a measured value in real-time each time the predeterminedpointer is moved from the measurement start point in a predetermineddirection, and wherein the displaying of the additional informationincluding the determined reference value and the acquired measured valuecomprises: allocating a predetermined color to the reference value;generating a color bar including the color allocated to the referencevalue; displaying the generated color bar; and displaying the measuredvalue in color that corresponds to the measured value acquired inreal-time among colors included in the color bar.
 9. An apparatus fordisplaying additional information related to a measured value of anobject, the apparatus comprising: an object information acquisition unitfor acquiring measurement item information of the object; a measurementitem information acquisition unit for acquiring at least one of ameasurement point and a measurement direction for the object; areference determination unit for determining a reference value for ameasurement based on the acquired measurement item information; ameasured value acquisition unit for acquiring the measured value of theobject based on the at least one of the measurement point and themeasurement direction; and a display unit for displaying additionalinformation including the determined reference value and the acquiredmeasured value, wherein the measurement item information of the objectcomprises profile information of the object and information about ameasurement item determined according to a portion of the object to bemeasured.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement pointcomprises a measurement start point and a measurement end point, andwherein the measurement end point is designated by moving apredetermined pointer for designating the measurement point from themeasurement start point in a predetermined direction.
 11. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the reference determination unit determines anaverage value, an abnormal value, or a value of interest for diagnosis,related to the measurement item, based on the profile information of theobject.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the measured value of theobject comprises a length, a perimeter, an angle, an area, or a volume,and wherein the measured value acquisition unit acquires a length of astraight line formed by moving the predetermined pointer from themeasurement start point, a perimeter of a curve formed by moving thepredetermined pointer from the measurement start point, an angle formedby a plurality of lines including the measurement start point, an areahaving a predetermined shape including the measurement start point, or avolume of a 3D region including the measurement start point.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, further comprising a color allocation unit forallocating a predetermined color to the reference value, wherein thedisplay unit displays the additional information including the referencevalue having the predetermined color and the measured value at apredetermined location on a medical image of the object.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the predetermined location overlaps astraight line formed between measurement start and end points.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12, further comprising a color allocation unit forallocating a predetermined color to the reference value and a color bargenerator for generating a color bar including the color allocated tothe reference value, wherein the display unit displays the generatedcolor bar as the additional information, and wherein the predeterminedlocation is adjacent to a straight line formed between the measurementstart and end points.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprisinga color allocation unit for allocating a predetermined color to thereference value and a color bar generator for generating a color barincluding the color allocated to the reference value, wherein themeasured value acquisition unit acquires a measured value in real-timeeach time the predetermined pointer is moved from the measurement startpoint in a predetermined direction, and wherein the display unitdisplays the generated color bar, and the measured value in color thatcorresponds to the measured value acquired in real-time among colorsincluded in the color bar.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing themethod of claim 1 on a computer.